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Seven Linux distros fight over one old ThinkPad: Xandros snapshot
(Oct. 5, 2006)


Xandros Desktop Home Edition, Version 4


Distro overview

Xandros Desktop 4 is touted as a beginner-friendly distribution with a customized version of KDE and a host of intuitive desktop utilities designed to ease migration from Windows to Linux. Xandros says its Debian-based Linux desktop combines highly regarded open source technologies with a corporate attention to completeness, usability, and support. Based in Ottawa, Xandros's team includes the developers and architects of the first major commercial Linux desktop: Corel Linux OS, which was the foundation for this distribution.

Observations

Pro's:
  • Everything works
  • Good selection of preinstalled apps, with additional ones (both free and commmercial/proprietary) readily available, via the Xandros Networks downloader/installer/updater tool
  • Optionally available with CrossOver Office (for a higher price)
Con's:
  • Commercial, must be bought
  • Will OS/app updates and app downloads continue to be available without having to pay additional fees?
  • Some "standard" apps are rebranded; this always annoys me!
  • USB mouse loses sync after idle periods
Screenshots


Xandros's default desktop
(Click to enlarge)


System configuration tool
(Click to enlarge)


System administration settings
(Click to enlarge)


Xandros Networks app downloader/installer/updater works well...
but does the meter eventually run out of nickels?

(Click to enlarge)


System update status
(Click to enlarge)


Xandros paranoia window warns, annoys
(Click to enlarge)


My Xandros desktop, just the way I like it
(Click to enlarge)

Scorecard

Xandros Scorecard
Installation5 points
Customizable5 points
Hardware/multimedia support4.5 points
Apps included/available4.5 points
Total:19 points


Bottom line

This is truly an excellent low-end commercial distro, and one that I'd heartily recommend to anyone starting out on Linux, especially in a business environment. However, for the purpose of this project -- upgrading an old laptop to use as a spare system -- I prefer sticking with a "free" distro.



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